The Anglo-Saxon Archaeology Blog is concerned with news reports featuring Anglo-Saxon period archaeology. If you wish to see news reports for general European archaeology, please go to The Archaeology of Europe Weblog.

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

Remains of an Anglo
Saxon warrior, buried with his spear and a bronze-bound drinking cup,
after he was was discovered by modern soldiers on a rehabilitation
programme. Photograph: Ministry of Defence

An excavation on Salisbury plain has proved an unusually
emotional experience for the volunteer archaeologists, as soldiers
recovering from injuries received in Afghanistan have made a surprise
discovery: the remains of warriors who died more than 1,400 years ago.

Led by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Army, partners from Wessex Archaeology
were astonished by the haul. Operation Nightingale is an award-winning
project to give soldiers new skills and interests as part of their
rehabilitation. The excavation was expected to produce modest results
after earlier digs had turned up empty army ration packs and spent
ammunition. Instead, they revealed their ancient counterparts, including
an Anglo Saxon soldier buried with his spear and what must have been a
treasured possession, a small wooden drinking cup decorated with bronze
bands.

About Me

I am a freelance archaeologist and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland specializing in the medieval period. I have worked as a field archaeologist for the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland) and the Museum of London. I have been involved in continuing education for many years and have taught for the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE) and the Universities of London, Essex, Ulster, and the London College of the University of Notre Dame, and I was the Archaeological Consultant for Southwark Cathedral. I am the author of and tutor for an OUDCE online course on the Vikings, and the Programme Director and Academic Director for the Oxford Experience Summer School.